Thursday, July 11, 2013

Seems like two words that don't go together right? But it can be done!

My parents are finally building their dream home at Ridgetop Farm and have asked me to help design it. I am very excited! My mom wants it to feel like a farmhouse but, like me or maybe I'm like her, she's a bit eclectic/bohemian. I wanted to stay true to her style yet find a way for the decor to match the design of the house and the "farm" it sits on. I have farm in quotes because their only animals are cats!

I'm thinking the color scheme should be blue and white with touches of gold. Bold mixes of pattern and a lot of texture.

Blue and white is a very traditional color combo but by doing it in bohemian prints it feels fresh and eclectic. Adding in natural elements like wood, seagrass, birch and rough linen brings in the farmhouse element perfectly.

Preppy stripe and eclectic paisley with a bead board wall. Love the use of vintage art in this mix. My mom LOVED this image.

Another great mix of pattern. The open lantern pendants have great style. Finding some in a weathered zinc finish would be awesome too. I will be on the lookout.

They have a big open room like this after you come through the front door. It has to be a combined entryway, formal dining, library and family room. Theirs isn't near this big even! It will be a similar set up however with the couch dividing the space and a dining table behind it. They also have some exposed beams in the ceiling as well.

My mom has always dreamed of having a vintage buffet. There isn't really room for one since the front door opens right into the big combined space and the formal dining is closest to the door. There is however a large wall where I thought a buffet piece like the one above could double as an entry way table. Best of both worlds!

For the library we'll be using this tutorial from Little Green Notebook to turn inexpensive Ikea bookshelves to built ins. We'll have a parsons desk nearby and two wing chairs with a fun pattern in front of the shelves.

I think a pedestal table like this one from wisteria is perfect for the space. With the sofa, shelves and tables there's a lot of squares in here so a round table is just the ticket. It's also big enough to seat 6.

And just last weekend mom and I scored this gorgeous gold and milk glass vintage chandelier for only $100!

Subway tile with dark grout. My mom and I sewed the curtains. It's an ivory linen with tassel trim. The fur-downs extended over the shower and that is now gone as well. The whole room just feels bigger without those silly and completely unnecessary things. I don't understand why they were ever popular!

In other news, scott surprised me with this table from Target last week! Have you seen their new Threshold line? Of course you have, don't be silly. You know how I love rocks and agates. This was only $60!

Friday, May 31, 2013

I'm not even going to mention how long it's been since I've posted, so let's just forgive and forget ok?

Great!

I really wanted to buy a chaise for our living room to solve our lack of seating dilemma.

I emailed and emailed again and no answer. Something in the air lately has been making all the people I contact via craigslist completely ignore me. So rude!

So I had to move on.

Luckily I found this guy...

Ignore the weights on the mantle. If you follow me on instagram you know I'm getting swole with p90x, #bringit.

Anyways, it was perfect and a great price, and we took it home hanging out of the trunk of my husband's civic. I'd like to reupholster it in some type of velvet at some point but it's really not bad as is.

You can also see our new mirror above the mantle there. It's so sparkly! I'm thinking about painting the brick soon too. You know, with all my spare time.

My prized chinese screen has relocated to here and I re configured the art wall. I like it much better like this and I can't wait to fill it even more.

I still need to zhush the rug placement a bit but its taped down so easier said than done.

I'm happy to say our living room is finally in a place I'm completely and utterly happy with. I just have this feeling of "ahh" when I walk in the room.

Is it finished? no. Will it ever be? no! But tweaking and changing things is the fun part! Our spaces evolve with us, and that's what I love about design.

A little detail shot. Sorry about blurry pics, my DSLR has bit the dust and my iphone is all I have!

Our spare bathroom is also now 90% complete, just a few tweaks and installing the pretty things is left. Can't wait to show you, I'm in love!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

So as you can see I think the pink stripe rug would just be too much with this curtain fabric. Besides I want to go for more of an eclectic boho vibe, less preppy stripe. But now what to choose? There are so many wonderful and affordable rug resources these days!

I originally picked out this vintage persian for the space. It looks a bit pink in the pictures but it's more red. I would love the mix of red, pink and dark gray. Plus there's nothing like the vibe a persian gives to a room.

I also liked this rug. Like a persian but with less pattern, which might be nice.

But then I saw this image from one of my favorite blogs, Little Green Notebook, and it inspired something in me.

Would it be crazy to go leopard print with a rug?

I have to say I'm diggin it a bit. What do you guys think?

Of course I could always go with choice 1 or 2 and do leopard print upholstery on my desk chair instead?

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Tuesday at 6:21 am I became an Aunt! Little Allison is so precious I just want to gobble her up! Thankfully I get to enjoy these first few weeks with her close by in Dallas because after that she will reside with her mommy and daddy in Warsaw, Poland! Sigh...guess I'll just have to go out there if I want to snuggle her. Tough life right?!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Welcome to April lovers! We are having some gorgeous weather in Dallas today. Too bad it looks like cold and rain for the next week starting tomorrow. What is up with mother nature lately? Cold in Texas in April?! Crazytown

This week's curtain call is a favorite...

The dark walls with solid curtains and bright edge details are just my style. That chandelier isn't so bad either.